Bought a Car From a Neighbor? The Title Transfer Goes Inside in Hondo

When you buy a car from a private seller around Medina County, the title transfer runs through the county tax office, and there's a procedural wrinkle to keep in mind before you pull up: the drive-thru is for basic tax payments and routine registration only. A title transfer takes longer than a few minutes, so you park and go inside. Roll into the drive-thru lane expecting to transfer a title and you'll just be sent around to the door.

TxDMV's own advice smooths the rest: when you're buying from an individual, have the seller come with you to the tax office. That way the signatures, the odometer reading, and the paperwork all get sorted in one sitting instead of chasing the seller down a week later when something doesn't match.

Bring the signed title, your ID, and payment for the title fee plus any sales tax due. Hondo, Devine, and Castroville all have tax-office windows, so you can handle it at whichever is the shorter drive.